I'm relieved to report that I am getting my brain back in order. I'm accepting that I am middle aged. I'm actually taking a long look at many aspects of life. For instance, Steve has interviewed for a job in OKC. It would require us living apart until such time as I decided to pursue a job there. I don't know when -- or if -- that will ever happen. But I've decided I can't worry about that anyhow. I've got bigger fish to fry.
Today I took Dad to his appointment with Dr. A. We are so so sad that Dr. A is moving to Tennessee. But I digress. Dad called me shortly after 9 to tell me they'd called to say they could see him early. He was at Waffle House having his coffee -- something he rarely does these days. But he'd had his chest x-ray and time to kill so drove over to WH to drink with his buddies. I hurriedly left my office to meet him at the clinic. The temp was in the 70's and there was a pleasant breeze. I told Dad how good he looked. I meant it too. His color is back. He's gained a couple of pounds. He laughed and said it felt good to see his friends.
When Dr. A came in, it was the usual review. Dad told him about the incredibly painful leg cramps he's been having for the last couple of weeks. His potassium and other numbers all looked really good. Dr. A supposed it could be dehydration. He asked dad what he drinks at home during the day. Dad said Pepsi. Dr. A asked how many. Dad said around 4. I've never heard a doctor yell out before but Dr. A did it. I'm sure everyone in the clinic heard it. Then he started laughing. It was a contagious laugh from deep in his gut. He said that's why you're dehydrated. Caffeine is a diuretic and you take diuretics and you need to be drinking water or juice... not caffeinated drinks. He laughed and laughed. Then he told Dad to limit his soda to 2 a day. Dad laughed along. Then he stepped out to call the radiologist about the x-rays.
When he returned, he was beaming. It seems crazy to say that about a doc but he was. He told us that the mass had not grown any in the last 2 weeks and in fact, according to the radiologist, it was "fractionally smaller". He said it doesn't appear to be a cancer if this is the case. He was so pleased that the drug cocktail he and Dr. Homsi had contrived was working. I only wish he wasn't leaving now. Anyhow, he will see dad one more time in mid April before he relocates his family to Tennessee.
Dad returns to another x-ray and to see Dr. Homsi in 2 weeks. If it keeps going, I think his prognosis will imrprove. He was so happy as we were leaving. I knew it was a good day before the visit but he was on cloud 9 after it. And he swears he'll modify his soda intake. Dad admitted he wasn't truthful with Dr. A about the number -- and that it was more like 6 or 8 a day. He laughed again about it. And he was pleased that his gaffe made Dr. A laugh so darn hard. He's going to miss these doctors too. They've saved his life.
Looking back now over the last 5 months and 21 days since I first signed the papers to have dad resuscitated, I have wondered why I did that. And the doctors in ER were so grim about his prognosis. But he wanted (and wants) to live. Each time he came into consciousness he would proclaim he had to live to care for Mom. And live he did. My sisters and I went with our gut. It's been a long road -- and it will continue to be a hard road. But we'll take these little victories when we get them. Today was a victory.
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